VSAE ConneXions

Connecting with Bailey Kasten, CAE

In this episode, we talk to Bailey Kasten, CAE, executive director of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society. Join us for a conversation centered around the challenges and opportunities of managing a small association, leadership qualities, providing opportunities to women and young professionals, mentorship and the importance of being a part of the VSAE community.
 
VSAE ConneXions is produced by Association Briefings.

Connecting on Leadership with Bruce Whitehurst

In this episode, we talk to Bruce Whitehurst, president and CEO of the Virginia Bankers Association. Join us for a conversation centered around leadership, including Bruce's leadership journey, his leadership style and its evolution in the last 15 years, influential leaders and mentors that have shaped his career, advice for aspiring leaders, cultivating adaptivity, and his involvement in the VSAE community.
 
VSAE ConneXions is produced by Association Briefings.

Connecting with Jeff De Cagna

In this episode, we talk to Jeff De Cagna, FASAE, a respected contrarian thinker on the future of associating and associations. Join us for a conversation about how boards should safeguard their members and successors from technological harm, the importance of ethical decision-making before implementing generative AI, the need for regulation of AI and the role of associations in that policy making, and everyone's role as an AI ethicist.
Show notes
Jeff De Cagna FRSA FASAE, executive advisor for Foresight First LLC in Reston, Virginia, is an association contrarian, foresight practitioner, governing designer, stakeholder/successor advocate, and stewardship catalyst. In his work, Jeff advises association and non-profit boards on how they can set a higher standard of stewardship, governing, and foresight [SGF]. 
 
A graduate of the Johns Hopkins and Harvard universities, Jeff has continued his learning with the future at the MIT Sloan School of Management, Oxford University, Harvard Business School, the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business, BoardSource, the Copenhagen Institute for Future Studies, and the Institute for the Future. 
 
Jeff is the 32nd recipient of ASAE’s Academy of Leaders Award, the association’s highest individual honor given to consultants or industry partners in recognition of their support of ASAE and the association community.
 
Additional reading:
We Are All AI Ethicists Now (VSAE Blog)
Association Boards and Technological Harm: Part I
Association Boards and Technological Harm: Part II
 
To register for the VSAE Nov. 2 session with Jeff, visit here.
This podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Connecting with Sarah Sladek

In this episode, we talk to Sarah Sladek, a 20-year industry veteran who has dedicated her career to studying and researching the membership and engagement shift. Join us for a conversation about major differences in the generations that make up associations, why her generational research is so important, competition in the association space, and innovative approaches for increasing member retention and loyalty.
Show notes
For more than 20 years, Sarah Sladek has dedicated her career to studying and researching the membership and engagement shift. She uses this wisdom to help membership professionals, leaders, teams, and organizations change their paths and become successful. Her modern-day membership science and cutting-edge engagement strategies have helped save thousands of membership organizations and associations around the world. For more information on Sarah's research, and how to order her latest book Membershift: Why Members Leave and the Strategies Proven to Bring Them Back, visit sarahsladek.com.
 
This podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Connecting with Jennifer Watson, CAE

In this episode, we talk to Jennifer Watson, CAE, membership manager of the Society of American Foresters. Join us for a conversation about her career journey, changes in association membership, how associations can stay relevant, leveraging collective resources and expertise to support members during times of crisis, and the value of VSAE membership.
Show notes
After 25 years of working in the nonprofit field, Jennifer Watson’s diverse background brings a unique perspective and skill set.  She is passionate about establishing connections between organizations and those who can either support the mission or receive its services.  Jennifer has developed the skill of networking through a variety of positions involving resource cultivation, direct solicitation, strategy development, research, event planning, public speaking, networking, database management, and leveraging social media.  She believes that by connecting target audiences with information through various platforms both in person and online, we are cultivating a more authentic and engaged community.
This podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Connecting with Susan Park, PhD, CAE

In this episode, we talk to Susan Park, PhD, CAE, executive director of the Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation. Join us for a conversation about her career journey, leadership advice, inspiring the next generation of leaders, the future of DEI in the association space, why we should all focus on our well-being, and how VSAE helped advance her career.
Show notes
Dr. Susan Park (she/her) is the Executive Director of the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF), a scientific society dedicated to advancing the understanding and wise stewardship of estuarine and coastal ecosystems worldwide. She oversees all CERF activities, including a biennial conference andthe scholarly journal Estuaries and Coasts. She has spent her career supporting organizations that connect science and management of coastal and marine resources. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Park was the Associate Director of Virginia Sea Grant. She also served as a Senior Program Officer with the Ocean Studies Board of The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine; AdjunctProfessor at Trinity Washington University; and NOAA Coastal Management Fellow with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management. Dr. Park received her Ph.D. in Oceanography from the University of Delaware, and her M.A. and B.A. in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania. She lives in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband and four furbabies.
This podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Connecting with Kristen Reid and Eric Hash

In this episode, we talk Kristen Reid, CMP, Vice President of Education & Training for the Virginia Bankers Association, and Eric Hash, CEO of the Harrisonburg Rockingham Association of REALTORS - two graduates from this year’s cohort of Association Leadership Virginia. Join us for a conversation about the benefits of ALV, the importance of peer-to-peer mentorship, the overall experience of the program, key takeaways, and advice for those thinking about applying for the next cohort. 
 
Show notes
This episode is produced by Association Briefings.

Connecting with Carter Lyons, CAE

In this episode, we talk to Carter Lyons, CAE, director of communications for Associated General Contractors of Virginia. Join us for a conversation about Carter's journey from elementary school teacher to association executive, her passion for life-long learning, diversifying communication channels, involving early career professionals in your organization, and the importance of being involved in VSAE. 
Show notes
An association leader with 12 years of experience, Carter Lyons serves as the Director of Communications for the Associated General Contractors of Virginia (AGCVA). In her role, she is focused on helping AGCVA members connect in a meaningful way with their association and the benefits available to them, as well as bringing awareness to the community about important work that is done by the construction industry. A lifelong learner and lover of education, Carter enjoys the opportunity to help others continue to grow professionally, while continuing to do so herself in order to better support those she serves. She earned the CAE designation in 2016, completed Association Leadership Virginia in 2019, was awarded VSAE’s Association Staff Award of Excellence in 2021, and can’t resist a good book, podcast, or conversation about a list of nerdy things. With all that said, Carter is always happiest when with her family. She and her husband Walt are soaking up every possible moment with their two boys, Tucker and Graham, more than likely on a baseball field, football field, or basketball court but at every opportunity, enjoying a sunrise from the beach.
This podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Connecting with Laiya Rollins + Lucy Firebaugh

In this episode, we talk to the co-chairs of VSAE’s Early Career Professionals Task Force, Laiya Rollins, membership and workforce initiatives manager at LeadingAge Virginia, and Lucy Firebaugh, communications and membership specialist for the Association of Consulting Foresters. Join us for a conversation about the importance of young and emerging professionals within VSAE and the association community as a whole, as well as networking, mentorship, and leadership development. 
Show notes
Laiya Rollins is the Membership & Workforce Initiatives Manager at LeadingAge Virginia, the association of not-for-profit aging services organizations serving residents and providers across the senior care continuum. She is responsible for the Association's membership & sponsorship recruitment and services function; including website-database management, and coordinates the Association's workforce initiatives. Laiya is a member of the Virginia Society of Association Executives and serves on their Early Career Professionals Group as a co-chair, the Young NonProfit Professional Network serving on their Leadership Team as well as the American Society Association Executives. She attended Old Dominion University, majoring in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resources. Laiya is from Norfolk, Virginia and now resides in the Richmond area with her husband DJ and three young daughters: Elliana, Autumn and Milani.
 
Lucy Firebaugh is the Communications & Membership Specialist for the Association of Consulting Foresters (ACF), a national organization headquartered in Williamsburg, Virginia. She is responsible for the overall communications of ACF including developing social media and website content, newsletters, and other various publications. She also handles all membership related inquiries and assists landowners who reach out seeking a professional ACF consulting forester in their area. Lucy is a member of the Virginia Society of Association Executives and serves on their Membership Committee and Early Career Professionals Group. Lucy grew up in Glen Allen, Virginia just outside of Richmond and now resides in Prince George, Virginia with her fiancée Matthew and beagle companion Tyson. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.A. in Communications with a concentration in Advertising.
 
This podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Connecting with the VSAE Award of Excellence Recipients

In this episode, we talk to three recipients of this year's VSAE Award of Excellence. Join us for a conversation with Ray Mattes, CAE, president and CEO of the Retail Alliance; Phyllis Errico, CAE, General Counsel to the Virginia Association of Counties; and Jamie Mitchell with the Virginia Beach CVB. Each of these guests have a lot to say about their career journeys, leadership insights, and the sense of community that VSAE brings.